are these phrags okey?

[RJSquirrel]

I think I spent too much on these phrags.
They came from Orchids Limited. Everything I have from them seems to be in some state of "I dont like it here". The paphs are small and weakly,I do realize they were mini/compact paphs, but they are still very weak. I dont worry about the paphs, they will do fine eventually. The phrags I just dont know..They all have new leaves but they seem to have too much yellowing in them. The older leaves are turning yellow and dropping which is normal.The top 2nd newest leaf turning yellow is not.. They have no bugs or insects on them.The 2 inch pots ar chock full of roots.They have been re -potted in bark mix. I understand that just a re-pot can sometime liven up a lack luster plant. The kovachi andean tears is the best one of the bunch.the Dick Clemens is growing well in the water. It was said to let it dry before watering but I just put it in with the rest of them..The yellowing bothers me immensely and I dont know what to do if anything. I don't think Ive made any serious errors here in culture as I read a lot here there and everywhere.



They grow in collected rain water all the time. Stay between 60 and 72 degrees. They Get 18 hours a day of light. Phrags are not phototropic. They get fed weakly week mix of peters cal/mag. Tank water gets changed out weekly too bec if I dont it start to smell like it has fish in it. I use consan 20 for a fungicide/bactericide etc.

I dont know what else I can do for them. How about you? I don't show many "my uglies", but they are ugly. Can you help my uglies? Not me!! the plants , no hope for me

[Ray]

I grow a fair number of phrags, and except for the yellowing on the plant to the left, they look just fine to me - and that wouldn't worry me too much, as it's probably just the result of a transient stress.

When it comes to standing them in water, I recommend that you use a very open medium with them. In nature, some phrags will grow with much of their root system trailing in a nearby stream, but don't forget that that would be very well-oxygenated. A pot standing in water is essentially stagnant, so you should probably adjust the medium to compensate for the needed air flow and gas exchange. Yes, S/H culture is a good way to go.

Concerning paying "too much" for them, some hybrids are pretty expensive, depending upon the parentage, and there is a new trend toward miniatures, too. I purchased several minis from Woodstream at the Susquehanna show - blooming size in 2" & 3" pots - and they were pretty pricey too, compared to what I usually prefer to pay, but considering the quality of the plants and their unique status, I was very pleased with the deal.

[tuvoc]

They don't look too bad to me. My first though would be that they may be staying too wet. I had a few that started looking pretty sad, so I cut back on the fert, and let them dry a bit in between waterings. Let's see what some of the experts say. Good luck.

Kim

[Jerry Delaney]

i don't see anything that would bother me. I have had seedlings show the "yellowing" like the one on the left has but once they adapt to my conditions that seems to disappear. I have to agree with Ray. I have tried numerous mixes for Phrags over the years but nothing has worked nearly as well as LECA in S/H.

[RJSquirrel]

transient stress. I had trouble getting these to start, they spent an extra day and a half on the truck .

the water is in constant motion with a fogger and pumps. I might need one them air bubblers to get more oxygen to them in the water indeedy..the medium is just holding the plant up as its mostly large bark and charcoal chunks so its pretty open. Oxygen for the water might just pick these up. I get me an air bubbler.


re potted one for now in LECA and I really dont see why they all cant go into LECA since they are growing Hydroponically anyway being in the water full time..But I think you guys got it OXYGEN in the water is what it needs!!!..The media might be decomposing faster no doubt and just that can take oxygen from the water..I should have thought more about the Fishy smell.That alone told me I had too much organic decomposition..Im excited again now for the phrags!!! thanks let you all know how they do!!!